‘A dollar for you’: Hafeez comes to Amir’s rescue
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As Mohammad Amir ran in to bowl at the pacy Basin Reserve in Wellington on Monday, a section of the crowd began to taunt him. Amir must have anticipated such a scenario as he was preparing to make a comeback from a five-year spot-fixing ban.
But what transpired during the first ODI left the 23-year-old disturbed, sources in the team revealed.
As Amir returned to his fielding position on the boundary, an individual from the same section of the stands began waving currency notes.
Observing the situation from a distance, Pakistan’s senior players and former captain Mohammad Hafeez – who had been among the ones most vocal against Amir’s return into the squad – stepped in to the young fast bowler’s rescue.
Hafeez and the other players reported it to the Pakistan team’s security in-charge and the ground staff was requested to intervene. The Basin Reserve’s security proceeded to the stand and issued a sound warning to that individual.
Sources speaking after the match said the person in question was told to ‘behave’ or face ejection from the stadium.
Hafeez and one-day international skipper Azhar Ali were strictly against Amir’s return to Pakistan colours. They went as far as boycotting a national training camp because of the left-arm pacer’s presence.
But Hafeez in particular had taken an extremely harsh stance on the issue. He had reportedly turned down an offer from a Bangladesh Premier League franchise having Amir in their lineup, and refused to face the young fast bowler during one of the nets session at the Gaddafi Stadium.
Hafeez had always maintained that “it is about the image of Pakistan cricket”.
Today in Wellington, donning Pakistan colours, seeing his teammate being sledged at, Hafeez lived up to his words.
In a separate development, a bunch of reporters in Lahore posed a tricky question to PCB supremo Shaharyar Khan after Amir bowled a wide off his first delivery back in ODIs.
Khan, who took over the board’s chairmanship in August 2014, was quick in rubbishing their suspicions.
“A wide and a no-ball in cricket is as natural as winning and losing. I am satisfied with Amir’s performance,” he said.
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On DawnNews
Comments (103) Closed
Jan 25, 2016 05:32pm
He deserves every bit of it.
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Jan 25, 2016 05:32pm
Just tell us when you will start winning, Pakistani cricket team?
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Jan 25, 2016 05:33pm
Sad but true...My country My pride
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Jan 25, 2016 05:35pm
Hafeez so nice to take a stand for the young players...
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Jan 25, 2016 05:37pm
Cricket is a strange game, not only players but spectators also behave in unprofessional manner. What he did in past is history, he paid for his mistakes, now let him play and let the team make some effort to win some matches.
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Jan 25, 2016 05:37pm
Amir will live now and also overcome this attitude...but it is now clear and open that every sport including world tennis and world soccer are rigged and fixed...So...what's the big question...
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Jan 25, 2016 05:38pm
Amir will face this kind of situation in his life.
He needs to keep them shut by performing well well and well.
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Jan 25, 2016 05:38pm
Team Unity s most important and hafeez just proved it
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Jan 25, 2016 05:41pm
good one Hafeez and senior should be like that!
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Jan 25, 2016 05:42pm
Once in the ground all player are same and back each other.
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Jan 25, 2016 05:43pm
Great show of character. Hats off to Hafeez
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Jan 25, 2016 05:55pm
This world can't let you live in peace Aamir, even if you were hanged for your misdeed they would not forgive you and termed you as a villain. You could not change your fate but gradually minimize the effect so the only suggestion for you is to stay silent take strength from such incidents and reply back with your solid performances.
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Jan 25, 2016 05:55pm
Thanks Mr. Hafiz for being beside your teammate.
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Jan 25, 2016 06:01pm
Shocking to see people still defending him, he should have been banned for life, what a disgrace.
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Jan 25, 2016 06:02pm
Good example of team spirit Bravo Hafeez
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Jan 25, 2016 06:06pm
Weldone Professor !
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Jan 25, 2016 06:07pm
hafeez showd what is a sportsman spirit .
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Jan 25, 2016 06:14pm
well done prof
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Jan 25, 2016 06:15pm
Respect for Amir. He did a mistake and learned from it. We should move on. There are laws for cricketers but none for the crowd. They can misbehave and have fun.
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Jan 25, 2016 06:15pm
How about the kiwis recent fixer players; how about the Macculum deal with ICC; did kiwi supporters showed currency notes to them?
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Jan 25, 2016 06:19pm
Hafeez is a man with character and to be honest the ground staff have no right in ejecting the spectator for his behaviour. He did nothing obscene or insulting, quite ridiculous. Mr Amir will have to put up with this for the rest of his career, he was dumb enough to do it in the first place. As far as im concerned he deserves every bit of it, in so far as Pakistan were invited by England to play in England in 2010 because they couldnt play in their own country. It was a slap on the face of decency.
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Jan 25, 2016 06:24pm
Come-on guys. Who are criticizing amir. Have heart. We all love in world where everyone has done some sin or the other. No one is holy. Amit was kid. Even god forgives when we repent with sincerely.
With you amir. You are bright and will do good for your country. Silence the crtics with super performance.
Best luck from India.
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Jan 25, 2016 06:32pm
Hafeez opposed Amir’s return in the team was right, now also he is right. he is a man of heart.
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Jan 25, 2016 06:34pm
Strange world... those who are known for their corruption are chosen as leader and given all respect they don't deserve. On the other hand, young and from a poor background guy who accepted his mistake, paid the price for 5 years ban, still being criticized and people like us said that he deserve every bit of it.
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Jan 25, 2016 06:35pm
This was expected and that's why we were against his inclusion to save him mental torture anymore.
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Jan 25, 2016 06:42pm
@Shaikh Salman Saeed Anwar, Saqlain Mushtaq, even Shoaib Akhtar were from very poor backgrounds. Did you seem them cheat for a few dollars? Amir was young, yet he had the guts to cheat in such a big way. How come his family is living in Defence housing society in Lahore now if hes so "poor?" You say the government is corrupt, yet the funny thing is, people of Pakistan voted them in. Amir, and other people, are the reason why Pakistanis who leave Pakistan for work and live abroad will be labeled cheats and liars, and will probably claim not to be Pakistani at all. See, actions always speak louder than words.
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Jan 25, 2016 06:49pm
Gosh, in North America and EU in most pro sports fans verbally abuse players all day. Its part of being a pro. Like it or not Amir will face this taunting for the rest of his life. It might not happen all the time but it will. Just look at what they did to Misbah in UAE and what wrong did Misbah commit?
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Jan 25, 2016 06:55pm
Hafeez did correct to support his countrymen
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Jan 25, 2016 07:00pm
@The Outsider Ha nice comment. I think however, to talk about Misbah and Amir in the same sentence is a big big insult to a man with character and credentials like Misbah.
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Jan 25, 2016 07:05pm
Amir you are doing well. Keep up. Thank you Hafeez.
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Jan 25, 2016 07:10pm
It's good for the health of Pakistani cricket to support and defend each other ....being a lover of pakistani cricket fro indian occupied Kashmir i strongly hate bullying atmosphere in Pakistan cricket...good wishes to u olll paks...gulzar ahmad padder
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Jan 25, 2016 07:26pm
@Shahid I agree. Misbah never got the respect he deserved. I think he was one of PKs best captains despite having inherited one of PK worst teams ever. Not to forget ironically Misbah took over when the three fraudsters committed their sin. He retired when they got back in.
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Jan 25, 2016 07:33pm
@Saeed Masood
You just said what the big problem is, i.e: games are rigged.
Two wrongs don't make a right.
Fix the wrong.
The attitude of so what? Rigging is in every sport is what bring disgrace to your team and worse to your country. Why have police and courts if everybody else steals.
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Jan 25, 2016 07:54pm
Its a publicity stunt for sure
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Jan 25, 2016 08:00pm
I always liked Hafeez due to his educated background and down to earth personality. I was with him when he opposed Amir's comeback but now he is in team and should be backed like every other member.
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Jan 25, 2016 08:08pm
Don't worry just keep performing and break the opposition faces.Mc Kleghan will remember for rest of his life.This is just start for Kiwis.
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Jan 25, 2016 08:09pm
I was annoyed when Hafeez stood against Amir but he seems to have had a change of heart. Thank you Hafeez!
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Jan 25, 2016 08:11pm
@Philosopher (from Japan) Don't worry the way he is bowling let him play.If needed Asif would be back too if he is able to break more Kiwis faces.
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Jan 25, 2016 08:14pm
@Samrat Enough of it already, so stop it!!!
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Jan 25, 2016 08:15pm
Aamir we stand by you, keep it up with your hard work and dont care about all this rubbish..
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Jan 25, 2016 08:24pm
Amir should do something better and different with his life than cricket...Destiny is forcing him elsewhere but he won't listen...
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Jan 25, 2016 08:33pm
I am just wondering how is he going to face the ill mannered crowd in India.
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Jan 25, 2016 08:49pm
Show maturity.... Reply via performance....
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Jan 25, 2016 09:04pm
Fasten your seat belt buddy. It will be worst in WC T20 in India. Just take them positively and control your anger. It will make you a better human. Good Luck.
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Jan 25, 2016 09:23pm
God will help him.. If he remains thankful to Him.
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Jan 25, 2016 09:27pm
NZ should behave. They should not forget numerous cricketers from NZ were involved in match fixing. Aamir got his punishment now he has the right to play cricket. That is his bread and butter.
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Jan 25, 2016 09:29pm
Gossips & taunting will die soon. Amir is surely a better & responsible man & player than before.
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Jan 25, 2016 09:41pm
@Shahid even the almighty forgives the ones asking for forgiveness.. Are u more mighty than the Lord of the worlds? Have some compession. We should Learn to forgive. So that we may be forgiven. As we are no angels ourselves.
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Jan 25, 2016 09:50pm
Hafeez is a good man. Makes a principled stand and when overruled accepts and supports his fellow player.
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Jan 25, 2016 10:11pm
And people of New Zealand still call themselves civilized and expect all immigrants to adopt their values?
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Jan 25, 2016 10:12pm
The guy who was taunting him was of Indian origin (not surprisingly).
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Jan 25, 2016 10:15pm
Cheap Crowd
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Jan 25, 2016 10:16pm
Well people will be people. It should not discourage Amir, in fact this behavior should give him added fuel to crush his opponents even harder. I have full faith in him and I know he is fully capable of it. He just need to believe in himself.
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Jan 25, 2016 10:18pm
This small boy is tortured too much, Let him come out of his colours as next wasim akram of pak.All the best
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Jan 25, 2016 10:22pm
unfortunately he will need earplugs for the rest of his career .... after all he was part of the disgraced trio ...
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Jan 25, 2016 10:35pm
There is nothing wrong in supporting a team mate in such a situation but what happened to stand taken by Hafeez when he was boycotting Bangladesh Premier League due to Aamir? Why is he playing alongside Aamir now? The greatest reason for lack of performance is politics in cricket and Hafeez is master of it.
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Jan 25, 2016 11:05pm
This is all planned tactic to offset the young bowler from his rhythm. But, the result shows he was the best and most economical bowler today.
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Jan 25, 2016 11:34pm
Well done Mohammad Hafeez. Such a mature and responsible behaviour was expected from you. You make us proud as Pakistani team supporters.
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Jan 25, 2016 11:37pm
This is just the trailers of What is next to come when Pakistan visits Australia ( The Masters in the art of Sledging on or off the field ) BUT the Climax will reach When Pakistan will visit England Again , the very place where the Crime was Planned , Committed, Investigated , Tried in a Court of Law and Conviction with Jail terms were given . I have my doubts that he can Survive those Two far Sterner Tests compared to what he faced or is facing in NZ , eagerly waiting for him . If he survives , then one would say , his rehabilitation has worked and he has come of age .
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Jan 26, 2016 12:25am
He's a quality bowler !
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Jan 26, 2016 01:03am
@Samrat
Please try to be justified not bias.
When we write something about cricket/Sportsman we should be honest ,not just throwing over emotion.
Amir has suffered a lot and he has admit it which is a courageous thing.
Now we should move forward as a grown up.
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Jan 26, 2016 01:04am
@Divergence
i agree with you.
Move forward,Amir issue is a history.
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Jan 26, 2016 01:07am
@Gaurav
sound like a sportsman and gentleman.
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Jan 26, 2016 01:14am
leave him alone ... let him live his life
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Jan 26, 2016 01:23am
@ Khan Dont agree. What happened to his stand on Aamir in BPL? Hafeez just wants to become a headline. Surely bidding for captaincy now.
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Jan 26, 2016 01:37am
Sir
Very sad incident and it is a norm of the western world to abuse a coloured player. When a white man commits a crime he is well entitled to lead a normal life whereas a coloured man is always taunted.
The Pakistani media must mature as well and move on instead of opening the wounds of a young man again and again
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Jan 26, 2016 02:01am
United we stand, a great show on parade! That's exactly what is expected of Team Pakistan. Look after your kid brother, boys! Love ya lads.
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Jan 26, 2016 02:55am
@Samrat really? look who is talking - an angel on earth.
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Jan 26, 2016 02:56am
@liverbird sorry- he is already back so what's the point now.
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Jan 26, 2016 03:06am
What was he thinking, smooth sailing, flowers or perhaps something else.
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Jan 26, 2016 03:33am
Professor deserve lot of salutes. In fact a Guard of Honor.
He submitted his resignation after loosing in T20 cup. Although still
on record most successful T20 captain in the World.
Along with Azhar He stands for the image of Pakistan. For the cause
He believed ,I believed and millions more Who believe integrity is the most
important part of an individual or Nations Life.
Turned down a lucrative offer from BD T20 league for the cause.
He shines or fail with the bat or ball, He is always one of the best fielder
in Pak Team.
Professor You are "The Man".
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Jan 26, 2016 04:08am
What a great "U turn?"
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Jan 26, 2016 04:19am
@liverbird. He served his punishment. Taking bribes is a way of life in our part of the world. He slipped once but now trying to put his life together. Even serious criminal get such opportunity. We should be careful when taking higher moral ground.
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Jan 26, 2016 04:19am
The one's praising Hafeez on here can I ask what he actually did to defend Amir? From what I can tell from reading the article he went and told someone and did not confront the culprit. In my view very well man
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Jan 26, 2016 04:47am
Well done Hafiz!
Worth mentioning here is the double standards ....
In Case of Chris Cairns, all the witnesses went against him even his own teammates ..and guess what.. he was acquitted respectfully by GORA court.
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Jan 26, 2016 05:12am
Amir was literally a kid,when he was charged....give him a break.....he deserves another chance....
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Jan 26, 2016 06:19am
He will face same kind of incidents but he have to prove to cricket world that he Is not going to repeat a big mistake again..he have prove that he is still very fast and a match winner player..at end of day people will remember his match winning contributions to his teams.
Let him play, let him give him chance
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Jan 26, 2016 06:56am
Hafeez, very generous of you to standby Amir.
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Jan 26, 2016 08:16am
Pakistan ODI top three batters would you please listen to me!
If you want to win the matches for Pakistan, Please change the attitude to start the innings with 50% S/R and finish it about 80% S/R!! Now a day it is the minimum requirement that you start at 80% S/R and try to finish it about 100% S/R if not more.
If you think you are not having the capability to do so, please leave the places for the new comers .
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Jan 26, 2016 08:45am
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad in a country full of U Turn masters like IK why not him. By the way it should be praised then criticized if he is mentoring the kid.
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Jan 26, 2016 08:57am
@Sarah bowler or batsman completely lost with sledging that's why it is used. Initially it was the tactics of only the fast bowlers but over time it has turned different shapes. If I am the selection manager of Pakistan team I wouldn't expose him more for few months because it's a kind of double-edged sword phenomenon for young boy. Finally, he didn't break the face of kiwi batsman but Anwar Ali whose inclusion I proposed in replacement of Amir (for ref. see my earlier posts). After that I got some stupid comments that living in Japan might affected my cricketing knowledge which I believe is far better than a majority of those who live in cricket playing countries.
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Jan 26, 2016 09:20am
Amir will carry this badge for a long time. He keep is head and voice down backed with his clean and consistent match winning performances will make these people quite.
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Jan 26, 2016 09:50am
What right the New Zealanders have to taunt any player. Their own cricketers are no angels, who got away just because they have different skin color just like some of the Australians initially who were let off. An advice to the Kiwis, however, just leave Amir alone who has served his punishment valiantly and if you have an extra dollar offer it to your match and spot fixers. That would be more appropriate.
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Jan 26, 2016 10:04am
"waving currency notes"..how is that a security issue?!!!
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Jan 26, 2016 11:58am
@Philosopher (from Japan) :"that's why we were against his inclusion to save him mental torture anymore." Amir is not under mental torture, his detractors are, and the reason is that he is playing again for Pakistan, which was not expected when he was serving his punishment. But 5 years have gone in a blink of an eye and he is playing again. Only other day you were saying that he is a mediocre player. He proved your "far better knowledge of cricket" wrong by being the best bowler of Pak in the 3rd match. But you did not have gall to accept that. In his first 3 matches he performed exceptionally in two. That makes him a special talent, showing to those what he can do ( potentially as great as Wasim and Waqar), who didn't want his return not because of his past mistakes but because of his talent that will now be available to Pakistan again. So unless you accept his talent and accept his right to play for Pakistan, you will certainly appear as lacking in cricketing knowledge.
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Jan 26, 2016 12:11pm
Aamir has developed a great character!
Despite facing such situations he bowled the best figures than more senior and HONEST bowlers of the team!
He tactfully dealt with Hafeez & Azhar after their sore behaviour with him. This guy is just awesome!!
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Jan 26, 2016 12:51pm
@Khanjee : The Indians, no matter how ill mannered, will not do anything to Amir as no one living in glass house himself will throw stones at others.
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Jan 26, 2016 02:09pm
This is the begining. Such acts by crowd will be often in all countries, where ever Amir goes. It will put pressure on team performance and players will be disgruntled. PCB should take notice for future and not includ an EX-CON. in the team
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Jan 26, 2016 02:19pm
@liverbird Yes shocking isn't it ? You don't get shocked with biggest match fixers in IPL and Big Bash. The Indians and the Australians are the biggest match fixers but that's different, but when an 18 year old gets trapped and then pays a heavy price for it you get shocked! Well you will be in a bigger shock soon because Amir is soon going to be the no. 1 bowler in the world. Get over it. Double standards are just not good.
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Jan 26, 2016 02:21pm
amir is proving himself to be the most skilled cricketer in the entire pak team. he needs to be very strong to face all the challenges in and off the field. well done hafeez for supporting his team mate against some the idiots sitting in the stands.
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Jan 26, 2016 02:46pm
Sadly, that is a legacy Amir will probably have to endure for quite some time - and it will always stay with him.
Whilst people can forgive and allow you to play again - you cannot expunge what Amir and co did from the annals of cricket, nor can you erase it from peoples’ memories that easily.
Don't forget Pakistan go the UK in the summer; where the no-balling took place.
Hopefully, by then Amir's performances are such that he lets the ball do the talking - as you can bet your bottom dollar that he will get lots of abuse from spectators in England.
He just has to grin and bear it - that is the only thing he can do now.
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Jan 26, 2016 03:12pm
...and there are those who wanted him back......where are you all....!
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Jan 26, 2016 05:45pm
We need to have thicker skin...the kiwis and Aussies are all very rude and aggressive crowds....kiwis specially should remember the recent fixing scandals of their own.
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Jan 26, 2016 06:27pm
@Saif O Mr Einstein of cricket.. I salute your cricketing knowledge and your efforts to defend a convicted cricket.. offcourse why not he has a same mentality like you. Secondly, in the same match Anwar Ali also took three wickets but the issue is not getting wickets on a losing track.. the issue is people like you always live in fool's paradise and never let themselves to come out if get any chances too. He was a mediocre bowler and he is a mediocre bowler. Its a writing on wall his performance will go down as time passes. have a bet on it..
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Jan 26, 2016 06:28pm
@Saif somebody should also 'wave a dollar for you.'
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Jan 26, 2016 11:32pm
This is not Pakistan that you can evict people for no cause. You don't like what crowd says or does then don't play Amir in the team. If you play him then be ready for more of this around the world.
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Jan 27, 2016 02:31am
@Tanweer Khan why torture him , the whole pakistan team and the entire nation. Spare all, at every foreign match.
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Jan 27, 2016 02:50am
Amir make everyone silent with your bowling . Fast Bowlers never give up!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Jan 27, 2016 04:35am
Amir ....dont worry about anything...u r not done a murder..u r done a very very small mistAke at the teen age.
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Jan 27, 2016 11:01am
In a world where you are branded a criminal ONLY if you get caught - everyone deserves a second chance.
Respect for Hafeez!
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Jan 27, 2016 12:15pm
@Ahmed Abdullah
Did You called Amir a great character ?
Is it a joke or sprinkling salt on the wounds
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Jan 28, 2016 10:24am
@PHILOSOPHER (from Japan) The kind of cricket knowledge you have shown, it is really not hard to achieve the status of Einstein even by a novice like me. But lets not get personal. However, You have yourself settled the issue of kind of cricket k'ledge you possess by saying that Amir 'WAS' a mediocre bowler. By 'WAS' if you mean he was mediocre bowler before he was banned then it certainly shows you do not know much about cricket. I can u'stand you saying he 'IS' a mediocre since you don't want specially talented Amir back in Pak side, but even his 'diehard' detractor would agree that he 'WAS' anything but mediocre. He was termed, not on his potential but also on his performance, by all and every one connected with cricket as the most talented and best find since W Akram anywhere in the world. He is neither mediocre now nor was then. As this fact causes you mental torture I will refrain from reminding you about it but I will only say 'there is none so blind who will not see'.
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Jan 28, 2016 11:54am
@liverbird it seems as u never committed a mistake in ur life...
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